North Tipperary renewable energy schemes reach significant milestone
Roads are being repaired after the installation of the Upperchurch Wind Farm, while construction is complete on the largest development of its kind in the country at Erkina Solar Park
Two large north Tipperary renewable energy projects are reaching their closing stages, as roads are repaired near Upperchurch Wind Farm and construction is finished on a 230-hectare Roscrea solar farm.
In Upperchurch, road reinstatement works associated with the Wind Farm will begin on Monday next week, with work beginning on the local roads in the Newport area along with sections of the main road between Newport and Upperchurch.
Local councillor Cllr Fiona Bonfield welcomed the news, and acknowledged the “considerable cooperation and patience” shown by locals throughout the construction period.
"We are very conscious of the disruption and inconvenience that large-scale infrastructure projects can bring to local communities, and we would like to sincerely thank everyone in Newport, Rearcross, Kilcommon Upperchurch and the surrounding areas for their patience, understanding and continued support while these necessary works were being carried out”.
The Upperchurch Wind Farm project remains on schedule for completion and commissioning by July 2027.
Meanwhile, the 230 hectare Erkina Solar Park has reached a milestone, as Soleire Renewables announced that construction was now finished on the project.
The Solar Park comprises three interconnected sites at Erkina, Derrymore, and Monaincha and will, say the company, have the capacity to power 37,000 homes. The solar farm is the largest of its kind, with an investment of €130 million into the project.
The solar farm was developed around existing wind turbines, and the energy generated will be exported directly to the national grid.